The Beginning Live
| The Beginning Live | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Live album by Zahara | ||||
| Released | September 3, 2012 | |||
| Recorded |
June 8–9, 2012 Carnival City, Ekurhuleni | |||
| Genre | Afro-soul | |||
| Length | 110 minutes | |||
| Language | Xhosa, English | |||
| Label | TS Records | |||
| Zahara chronology | ||||
| ||||
The Beginning Live (stylized as Zahara: The Beginning Live) is a live DVD by South African singer Zahara. It was released by TS Records on September 3, 2012. It was shot at Carnival City in Ekurhuleni on June 8 and 9, 2012. The live DVD features popular ensemble performers, including LeRoy Bell, DJ Sbu, the Soweto Gospel Choir and Riot. During her two-day performance, Zahara was backed by an eight piece band composed of percussionist Tlale Makhene.[1][2] The Beginning Live was distributed by Musica, Kalahari and SoMusi.[3][4][5]
The DVD features performances of songs from Zahara's debut studio album Loliwe; it also features her rendition of Brenda Fassie's "Vulindlela". The Beginning Live received mostly positive reviews from music critics who praised Zahara's live performances of the songs. The DVD was commercially successful, selling over 40,000 units and reaching double platinum status in South Africa. Moreover, the DVD was confirmed to be one of the fastest selling DVDs released in South Africa by a South African artist.[6]
Background and concert performances
Rehearsals for the two-day event was held at the Pyramid Venue & Conference Centre. As part of the DVD recording, Zahara and Leroy Bell performed some of their biggest songs. In an interview posted on The Sowetan, Leroy Bell said that he felt in love with Zahara's music after googling her, and was honored to be part of the DVD production. In the same interview, Zahara said that she was nervous about the prospect of working with Bell. She also said that she loves Bell's voice and found it coincidental that both of them have a song on their respective albums titled "Brand New Day".[7] When Zahara took the stage on the night of June 8 and 9, she received great applause from the capacity crowd at the venue. During her two-day performance, Zahara paid tribute to the late Brenda Fassie, as well as to South Africa's musical icon Miriam Makeba.[8]
Insight
Commenting on the success of the concert and DVD recording, Zahara said: "I feel that God has favoured me, this is just a blessing. It shows that if you remain true to who you are people will support you and remain faithful to you...Come to think of it, my DVD recording shows were sold out for both nights and it shows that after everyone had heard my music on the CD, they needed to see me live on stage." [6]
Reception
Critical reception
Drum Magazine praised Zahara's performance, adding that her "performance pulls at the heart strings with her passionate and honest rendition. It is an emotional tearjerker of a song she calls 'special'...By the time confetti rains on her, Zahara had proven to be a consummate entertainer who knows her way with a live audience and takes them along for a ride in her musical train."[1]
Tony Da Silva of EMI Music South Africa added: "On the back of the success of Zahara's debut album we expected to do well with the DVD and are grateful that Zahara's fans continue to support her in this way. Zahara's fans have been eagerly awaiting the Live DVD and I have no doubt that they will enjoy every minute of it." [6]
Accolades
The Beginning Live was nominated for "Best Live DVD" at the 19th annual SAMAs.[9]
| Year | Award | Nomination | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | South African Music Awards | Best Live DVD | Nominated |
Track listing
| DVD | ||
|---|---|---|
| No. | Title | Length |
| 1. | "Liza Lisidinga Lakho" (featuring Soweto Gospel Choir) | 6:12 |
| 2. | "Xa Bengina Mama (Live)" | 4:57 |
| 3. | "Destiny (Live)" | 5:44 |
| 4. | "Ndiza (Live)" | 5:34 |
| 5. | "Umthwalo" (featuring Soweto Gospel Choir) | 7:05 |
| 6. | "Thekwana (Live)" | 4:19 |
| 7. | "African Sunset (Live)" | 4:37 |
| 8. | "Promises (Live)" | 1:55 |
| 9. | "Vul’indlela (Live)" | 3:17 |
| 10. | "Thetha Nami" (featuring Riot Zungu) | 6:04 |
| 11. | "Hold on (Bambelela)" (featuring LeRoy Bell) | 6:57 |
| 12. | "My Guitar (Live)" | 8:46 |
| 13. | "Incwadi e Ncane (Live)" | 6:07 |
| 14. | "Loliwe" (featuring Soweto Gospel Choir) | 7:43 |
Credits and personnel
- Zahara - Primary artist
- LeRoy Bell - Guest artist
- DJ Sbu - Guest artist
- Soweto Gospel Choir - Guest artist
- Riot- Guest artist
Release history
| Country | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Africa | September 3, 2012 | CD/DVD, digital download | TS Records |
References
- 1 2 "Zahara The Beginning live DVD out now". DRUM. Retrieved 4 October 2013.
- ↑ Owen, Therese (29 August 2012). "Beginning part 2 of her journey". IOL. Retrieved 21 March 2014.
- ↑ "The Beginning Live (DVD) : Zahara". SOMusic. Retrieved 4 October 2013.
- ↑ "The Beginning Live". Kalahari. Retrieved 4 October 2013.
- ↑ "The Beginning Live". Musica. Retrieved 4 October 2013.
- 1 2 3 "Zahara's Live DVD Goes Double Platinum in Three Days". RollingStone. Retrieved 4 October 2013.
- ↑ Tsumele, Edward & Bambalele, Patience (6 June 2012). "Brand new day for Zahara and Leroy Bell". The Sowetan. Retrieved 21 March 2014.
- ↑ Tsumele, Edward (12 June 2012). "Zahara, guitarist Bell wow fans". The Sowetan. Retrieved 21 March 2014.
- ↑ "THE 19TH ANNUAL MTN SOUTH AFRICAN MUSIC AWARDS NOMINEES". SAMA. Retrieved 21 March 2013.